The Name in the Gospel of Luke

The Name in the Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke has seven references; let us briefly scan them. “Whosoever shall receive this little child in My Name receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.” Luke 9:48. We have the same thought brought out in Matthew.

It is Jesus honouring the little child and giving to the little child its place in the assembly.
It is not enough that our children are taken into the Sunday School but the child has its place in the Church and should receive instructions, not from an unsaved Sunday School teacher, but from a real man or woman of God. Another striking suggestion is in this verse-“Whosoever shall receive this little child in My Name receiveth Me.” His Name then is equivalent to Himself. “Inasmuch as ye do it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto Me.”

Jesus teaches us the sacredness of His Name. “John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in Thy Name: and we forbade him because he followeth not with us. But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.” Luke 9:49-50.

Jesus said to John, “Forbid him not. Let him go on.” Thank God for anyone who is being helped or blessed, whether they walk with us or not. “And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in Thy Name.” Luke 10:17.
The disciples had an opportunity of seeing the power of Jesus’ Name before the Day of Pentecost.

“Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in My Name, saying, I am he: and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.” Luke 21:8. Jesus knew that false prophets would arise and impersonate Him. In the 12th verse of the same chapter, He said the disciples would be brought up before kings and governors for His Name’s sake.
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name unto all the Nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47.

This is a part of the Great Commission that repentance and remission of sins are to be preached in His Name. How few of the evangelists and preachers have caught a glimpse of this mighty truth-the place of the Name of Jesus in evangelism
In the 8th chapter of Acts we read that when they listened to Philip preaching the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus, they were led to accept Christ.
What a small place the Name of Jesus has in the modern Church!

The Wonderful Name of Jesus – E. W Kenyon